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spring 2007 |
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P
E R S P E C T I V E S
Valuable
sources of information for doctors
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Don Lane Photo |
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Dr. Susan King |
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Useful online resources and information
line telephone numbers for physicians and patients.
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By Dr. Susan King |
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How time flies. Here we are with the
days getting longer; it sure is easier to adjust to daylight changes
in the spring, isn’t it? I just came back from a CMA meeting. Do you
ever use
cma.ca for text books and clinical resources? Anatomy TV is a
fascinating 3-D anatomy library, complete with MRIs. And then there
are the librarians at your disposal; makes literature searches an
email or phone call away.
Obesity and diabetes
While at the CMA meeting, we were briefed on interesting medical news.
We all know that diabetes consequent to obesity is becoming an epidemic
and that it will be the plague of mankind. The CMA has termed it “Diabesity”.
Children born today are actually expected to have a life expectancy
shorter than their parents, dying on average four years earlier, the
first generation not to outlive their parents.
In that regard, we all know that Weight
Watchers is one of the best weight loss programs around. Did you know
that their program is now available online? One of my patients told me
about it. He wasn’t into doing the meeting thing and as a member found
it easy and fun to monitor his intake by computer. The program also
gives credits for exercise too, which he found motivated him to do more.
Weightwatchers.ca is a tool that some of our patients might find
useful. Of course, what’s good for the patient is often good for the
doctor!
Keeping your balance
Speaking of exercise and as we are in the icy season now, I have a good
hint for walking on ice – hold one or both arms out to the sides. This
is what people get kids to do for balance when first learning to skate.
We need lots of balance on ice and it’s easier to not lose your balance
than it is to regain it. My son taught me this and it works. Pass it on
to your patients. We have to do our best to shorten wait times for
orthopedics!
Numbers to remember
On a different note, there is a new term for an older agency. The former
Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (thank
goodness they changed the name, even if you could remember it, no one
knew what it meant!), is now the
Canadian Agency for Drugs and
Technologies in Health (CADTH). It does independent research on many
different new and old drugs and technologies – from the value of
chiropractic treatments to new gismos to implant in people to various
drugs to the utility of certain diagnostics. Their work is well
respected. Log on to
cadth.ca. They have a local office. Email
Cindy Mosher or call her at
777-8740. (Click here for more from CADTH)
The other number to remember is Memorial’s
School of Pharmacy Drug Information Line. Great for advice when there
are reported allergies, poly-pharmacy or co-morbidities, for example.
Call 709-777-7584 or toll-free 1-800-745-DRUG (3784).
That’s it for now. Hope you are surviving
the winter and even managing to enjoy some of the nicer winter days.
Dr. Susan King is a family physician at
the Newfoundland Drive Medical Clinic in St. John’s. Tips and hints may
be emailed or faxed to (709)
726-7525.
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